Hello,

My wife and I are ordering a diesel Cayenne within the next month or two and have several questions regarding options and your experience/expertise. We live in a very extreme environment ... +30C - -30C. We have definitely settled on the diesel, comparing it the Mercedes and BMW but all it took was one drive and we were sold.

1. Is 'sport' mode standard? Our tester had 'sport' mode - we loved it! We won't be getting PASM ...
2. 18" or 19"? We will likely have a second set of rims for winter
3. Interior dash colour? Have read that too light shows up in windshield...comments?
4. Pano? Winter issues? Any issues? - my wife really wants this ...
5. Clock or compass?
6. others?

Thanks!

 

I believe Sport mode (we are talking about the Sport button on the center console right?) is standard across the board. It is in the US anyway.

I didn't do PASM and haven't yet found myself wanting it. If you went for 20 or 21 inch wheels, did a lot of towing, or put a lot of weight in the rear on a regular basis I can see it being important/useful, but for regular everyday use I'm fine with the steal suspension.

I have the standard 18s and am happy with the ride. I don't like any of the factory wheels though.

My interior is black so I can't comment on the lighter colors (beyond that I just didn't like them in general).

No experience with the Pano.

Lots of people are having issues with the clocks being bad and Porsche is having a hard time filling the needed supply for replacements (I've seen reports of people waiting 12 weeks and counting). If you get lucky and get one that works, it does make noise which may or may not irritate you. I'm a "lucky" one, but am currently trying to find out about swapping the compass in as the ticking drives me nuts.

If it's not on your list (I'm sure your tester had it) get the Servtronic (or whatever it's new name is) steering option. I'm still getting used to it as it lets the Cayenne make exceptionally tight turns at low speeds. If you think you may ever want to carry something on the roof, get the factory rails option. They can't be retrofitted like the 955/957 and the difference between the factory rails and an aftermarket option (e.g. Thule or Yakima) is about 100lbs that you can carry.

 

Thanks for reply, gnat.

Yes, Sport mode on center console.

With the environment that we live and the potential to drive on many road conditions the 18s seem like a better choice. I have a truck for towing/hauling.

We will be carrying items - thanks for the suggestion regarding rails.

 

I live in similar weather here in Alberta. I chose the following for mine
- Clock as you can see the compass on the console
- Standard 18" and use that with winter tires
- No problem with light on windshield for Espresso/Cognac interior
- Pano (did not use it yet so can not comment on issues...)

Just found out no block heater is available. But I was told it should start in -40c weather. So I asked the service advisor about parking this outside in -40c weather for 2-3 wks, and I should be OK ? (for example, if I were to go on vacation and leave the car at the airport for 2-3 wks). His concern is the battery will drain if I leave the suv out for that long. His recommendation is to put it on a battery tender charger. Not too sure how to do this at the airport parking yet, but I deal with that when the time comes.

 

1. I believe it is standard.
2. I would do 18' if you are living in that extreme of conditions.
3. My brother has the express/cognac combo and it doesn't reflect into the windshield. I have the black interior and that is a nonissue here.
4. The Pano is more susceptible to issues and since it does get really cold where you are at, I would worry if it can keep heat when you got the heater going full blast and its bone chilling outside. My 2010 Cayenne GTS pano roof had rattles after 45,000 miles but that was fixed at the dealership with tightening up some bolts. With that being said, I wouldn't get my truck without it. I have 20% hyper optic on their now that keeps all heat out on summer days and with the shade open..it makes the cabin feel a lot roomier.
5. The clock. You can turn the compass option on in your gauge screen that shows vehicle info.
6. Does Nav come standard? I would really do PASM because it can add to the driving dynamics of the Porsche.

 

Thanks - block heater shouldn't be an issue, I understand that if sitting that long the battery might die.

Is remote-start possible on the diesel?

 

We will likely opt the premium to get the Nav. PASM changes the vehicle that much?

 

I certainly think so.

It might be nit picking but when I am in the city or driving through terrible roads, it certainly helps when I put the vehicle in comfort mode to absorb all those bumps from rattling my teeth loose. Also, when I do long road trips and I am on long stretches of highway, I put the vehicle win comfort mode not to tire out.

I do several trips up to the mountains during snowboarding season and sometimes I encounter some terrible back roads with new snow. I just lift my vehicle to high setting and plow through it instead of worrying that I might get high centered since the Cayenne doesn't have the greatest ground clearance of all the SUV's out.

Then you have the occasional spirited drive when you press that sport button and it firms up the suspension and drops the vehicle into low setting which is my favorite setting of all.

 

I have no plan to get remote start, so did not look into this. The hot seat and heated steering warms up real quick, so I don't see a need for remote start.

One option I wish I should have ordered is the voice control. I didn't need for voice control on my previous car. On both my Lexus and also M3, it was really easy to create speed dial list for calling my frequent numbers. With this Cayenne, I found it very difficult to call someone with the PCM. This is where voice control would help.

 

No 4-zone climate control option on the diesel. This was a big issue for us and we ended up ordering a Cayenne S. The 4-zone adds an extra air cond unit at the rear, it cools down the car much faster even if you normally do not carry passengers at the back. You also get additional air vents on the B-pillar. And the rear center console looks kind of cheap and empty without the controls for the 4-zone. But 4-zone is available for European Cayenne diesel though.

 

Thanks - I hadn't noticed the lack of 4-zone ... heated rear seats are an option with Premium.